"And so would any one be when he comes to be locked up here in the dark," returned the man. "It is all very well when one is at liberty, and has friends to talk to, and plenty of drink; because company and gin can prevent a body from thinking. But here—here—oh! it is quite different; and my opinion is that a dark dungeon is a much worse punishment than transportation—leastways, judging by all I've heard from men which has been transported and has come home again when their time was up."
"Would you rather be transported at once, then—or remain here?" enquired the Blackamoor.
"I would sooner remain here, for several reasons," said Pedler. "In the first place, I don't want to get into bad company again; because I'm afraid I should go all wrong once more;—and, in the second place, I know that the thoughts which I have are good for me, though they're not pleasant."
"But if you could this minute join some of your old friends to drink and smoke with them, would you not gladly do so?" asked the Black.
"I scarcely know how to answer you, sir," replied Pedler, musing. "I am afraid I might—and yet I am very certain that I should be a fool for my pains. I would sooner earn an honest living somehow or another: I should like to have good thoughts——But that is impossible—impossible!" he added, shaking his head gloomily.
"Why is it impossible?" demanded the Black.
"Because a man to have good thoughts, must do something that is good," was the prompt rejoinder; "and I have been a wicked fellow for so many years. I wish I had been good; but it is too late now!"
"It is never too late to repent," said the Blackamoor.
"I know that the Bible promises that," observed Pedler; "but then people would never believe that a rascal like me could become good for any thing. Besides, after all that has happened, I don't hope for any opportunity of showing that I feel how stupid I have been to lead such a life as I have done. Who would trust me with any work? what honest person would associate with me? It's no use questioning me, sir: you see that even you yourself don't feel comfortable in visiting this place, since you come with armed people."
"If you could obtain your liberty by killing me, would you not do it?" asked the Black.